Wage theft bill clears Senate panel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida Senate panel has cleared a bill that would set uniform state standards for employees to seek compensation when they say they haven't been paid their full wages.

The Senate Criminal Justice committee passed the bill (SB 1216) by a 5-1 vote on Monday. Sen. Audrey Gibson voted against the bill because it exempts Miami-Dade County but not Broward County. Both have their own "wage theft" ordinances.

Sen. Rob Bradley's bill would require workers to file a claim through the courts and would preempt cities and counties other than Miami-Dade from enacting their own laws.

But opponents say workers at low-paid jobs can't afford to take time off work to be in court. The bill also provides no criminal penalty for employers.